PERRYSBURG – Perrysburg Schools are getting the word out about their upcoming levy – and getting feedback
on a series of potential cuts should the levy fail.
"I know it’s been a topic of conversation in the community and around the community," said
Superintendent Tom Hosler at the meeting.
At the board work session held early this month, Hosler announced a series of possible cuts should the
levy fail, including paying for participation in all extracurricular activities, and cutting more than
90 jobs, including more than 50 teachers and nearly 40 staff positions. The district would lose $7
million – or more than 20 percent – from its budget and face an immediate $4 million deficit in the
2012-2013 school year.
The four-year emergency replacement levy would take the place of a 9.95-mill levy ending in December.
The levy would collect 13.15 mills, or $10 million, in its first year, and increase that amount
incrementally through 2016, in which it would collect 17 mills, or $12.9 million. The increase in the
first year would amount to $17 a month on a $200,000 home, followed by a projected $6 a month increase
through the remaining three years.
"I know a lot of people initially go to the place where this is a threat," said Hosler of the
possible cuts. However, these kinds of calculations are "just part of what you have to do to
survive" as a district. He noted that they are getting feedback from the community on the subject.

Board member Valerie Hovland said at the meeting that she recently spoke to a citizen asking why they
can’t simply raise the sales tax or seek other funding methods instead of property tax. She noted that
there are no other options available to a district for funding other than levies.
Hosler stated that more than 2,800 phone calls have been placed to voters about the levy, and that the
campaign is now beginning door-to-door canvassing.
"The best we can hope for is informed voters," said Hosler.
Citizen Richard Evans rose to speak during a public comment segment of the meeting, saying that there had
been no discussion of cutting salaries and other such earmarks before other cuts would be made.
"In the budget there’s got to be something in there for increases, cost of living, whatever,"
he said.
"I’m not for or against it right this minute, so it’s not saying I’m against the levy," but
more examinations need to be done, he said.
"What has the school system done to eliminate things from the top, and not everybody else who can be
removed or not hired or things of this order. So I please would wish somebody would address" why
those points have not been looked at, Evans asked.
Board member Gretchen Downs noted that administrators and teachers have given up pay raises in the last
several years.
"The teachers have made a sacrifice as have the administrators, and as have the non-certified
staff."
Hosler noted that the district has actively sought out cost-saving measures, and that staff contracts are
expiring and will be coming up for re-negotiation. How the schools pay teachers are also dictated by the
state, he said. Participation in the Race to the Top program also plays a part in that.
"The things that we can control we’re very proud of," Hosler continued, pointing to the fact
that the district has been very successful despite diminished funding and staff levels.
Also announced was the fact that Perrysburg Schools yet again achieved an Excellent with Distinction
rating from the Ohio Department of Education.
Speaking on the State Report Card, Curriculum Director Kadee Anstadt said, "Because of the
dedication of our staff and our students and our parents, and because we exceeded the state’s growth
projections, we were awarded excellent with distinction again this year."
"Certainly we were very pleasantly surprised," said Hosler.
"We always say we expect a lot of our staff, because we’ve been given a lot with the kinds of
students that we work with."
District Treasurer and CFO Matt Feasel spoke on the district’s updated five-year financial forecast to be
submitted to the state. Modest positive balances of between $1.3 and $1.8 million are expected through
fiscal year 2015-2016 should the levy pass.
In other business, the board:
• Heard the results of an Ohio EPA Clean Diesel School Bus Retrofit Grant program awarded to the
district. More than $35,072 was granted in May and all work on the buses is now complete. Twenty-three
of the district’s buses were retrofitted, reducing fuel emissions.
• Received a $2,200 donation from the Perrysburg Exchange Club to support the Sexual Abuse Prevention
Program.
• Heard an update from High School Principal Michael Short on the first quarter of classes. His comments
centered on the beneficial aspects of the newly-created enrichment schedule for teachers.